Publications

This study investigated the unique Nacamed particles for use in drug delivery. These particles were shown to have suitable particle characteristics, stability, versatility for altering surface chemistry and coating, biocompatibility and ability to alter drug release properties.

Research summary:

This work showed that Nacamed cCVD produced particles are porous and suitable for carrying drugs. These particles are made from controlled aggregation of small primary particles into larger “snow lantern-like” particles. Its potential as a drug delivery material is documented in the present study. The porous Nacamed particles were found to be stable, degradable, biocompatible, versatile in terms of surface chemistry and coatings, as well as having the ability to enhance the release of a model drug, hydrocortisone, when loaded into the particles. Overall, the Nacamed particles were found to be suitable for use in drug delivery.

https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR05655D

Hennie Marie Johnsen, Seyedmehdi Hossaini Nasr, Ricardo De Luna, Werner Filtvedt, Michael JSailor, Jo Klaveness, Marianne Hiorth. Stable “snow lantern-like” aggregates of silicon nanoparticles suitable as a drug delivery platform in Nanoscale 16 (20), 9899-9910 (2024)

The Nacamed particles were found to be good sources for generation of hydrogen gas, a novel medical gas with antioxidant effects suitable for the treatment of various diseases.

Research summary:

This study aimed to assess the ability of the Nacamed Si particles to generate hydrogen gas (H2) in artificial biological fluids mimicking oral administration. The effects of pharmaceutical additives and proteins were also examined. Our results confirmed the pH dependency with more H2 produced in higher pH. The H2 amount produced from 50 mg particles in pH 8 corresponds to drinking over 5L of H2-saturated water. In a model for oral delivery, pre-treatment in artificial gastric acid did not reduce the amount of H2 produced in artificial intestinal juice. Different types of particles generated different amounts of H2. Overall, the Nacamed particles are promising for intestinal production of H2 upon oral administration.

https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR05655D

Hennie Marie Johnsen, Werner Filtvedt, Marianne Hiorth, Jo Klaveness. Silicon nanoparticles for oral administration of molecular hydrogen in International Journal of Pharmaceutics 629, 122371 (2022)

Hydrogen gas (H2) has tremendous potential as a medical gas with its antioxidant properties.

Research summary:

This review gives an overview of the human studies related to hydrogen therapy, including the administration methods, indication areas and challenges. 81 relevant clinical trials were identified in the American and Japanese clinical trial registers. From a pool of over 2000 scientific publications related to hydrogen therapy, 64 were identified on the topic of human studies. Positive indications were found in major disease areas including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, respiratory diseases, central nervous system disorders, infections and many more, either as a combinatory treatment or H2 therapy alone. The available administration methods can pose challenges due to hydrogens’ explosive hazards and low water solubility. The medical use of H2 requires safe, efficient and practical ways for administration to the patient which might be realized with technological innovations, for instance within nanomedicine.

https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28237785

Hennie Marie Johnsen, Marianne Hiorth, Jo Klaveness. Molecular Hydrogen Therapy—A Review on Clinical Studies and Outcomes in Molecules, 28, 23, 7785 (2023)

Poor bioavailability of drug compounds is one of the main challenges in the pharmaceutical industry. The Nacamed particles were shown to improve dissolution of challenging drugs, also in combination with cyclodextrin-complexes, which is a useful strategy for improving the bioavailability of these drugs.

Research summary:

Two different types of the Nacamed Si nanoparticles were characterized and studied for the loading and release of five model drugs. In this work, we identified certain particle properties that were favorable for improving the dissolution rate of drugs. We also identified the types of drugs that had the highest improvement in dissolution as the more challenging drugs in terms of solubility. By loading cyclodextrin-complexed drugs into our particles, synergistic effects were seen in the release improvement. These strategies can be used to enhance the dissolution and thus performance of poorly soluble drugs, either drug compounds that are already on the market or those currently under development.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.124809

Hennie Marie Johnsen, Werner Filtvedt, Jo Klaveness, Marianne Hiorth. Nano-strategies for advancing oral drug delivery: Porous silicon particles and cyclodextrin encapsulation for enhanced dissolution of poorly soluble drugs Iin nternational Journal of Pharmaceutics,666, 124809 (2024)

Hollow silica spheres can be synthesized from cCVD particles with a mild approach, and a mechanistic understanding was developed. This material can potentially be useful for batteries, insulation and drug delivery.

Research summary:

The formation of hollow silica spheres (HSS) from solid cCVD particles when they produce H2 was discovered. HSS formation was found to correspond with the amount of H2 generated. This was explained by a two-step process: 1) a native oxide silica (SiO2) shell formed in air, and 2) the inner Si core selectively dissolved in an alkaline solution. This was explained as a Kirkendall process where Si from the core is transported over the SiO2 film with oxidation occurring on the outer surface of the particles. Otherwise, the particles would not result in hollow spheres.

https://doi.org/10.1039/D4NA00586D

Hennie Marie Johnsen, Anuj Pokle, Werner Filtvedt, Marianne Hiorth, Jo Klaveness, Anja Olafsen Sjåstad. From silicon to silica: a green chemistry approach for hollow sphere nanoparticle formation in Nanoscale Advances, 6, 24, 6196-6204 (2024)